Aeroplane.



No. 884,432. PATENTED APR. 14, 1908.

VANIMAN. I

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 27. 1906.

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Y I c {WIT/V5555 v WW a M j a o z g x I I Ami/5Y5 PATENTED APR. 14, 1908.

M. VANIMAN. AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.27.1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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, mmv/ m I rrm/w MELVIN VANIMAN, OF GENEVILLIERS, FRANCE.

AEROPLANE Specification-of Letters Patent.

: Patented April 14, 1908-.

Application filed November 27, 1906. Serial No. 345,394.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it'known that I, MELVIN VANIMAN, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Genevilliers, France, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Aeroplanes, which'improvement is fully set forth in the following specification.

The present invention has for its object an aeroplane which is broadly characterized by the combination with an oblong horizontal plane, the edges of which are ap ropriately bent below the horizontal, in sucli a manner as to form a parachute, of a vertical plane dividing the volume of air into two eq' al volumes below the horizontal plane 8.1%g the longitudinal axis of this latter. T is aerial machine is driven by two screws arranged beneath the horizontal plane on each side, and at an equal distance from the median vertical plane.

In order to render the following explanations as clearas possible, the accom anying drawings show by way of example tl fe aeroplane which forms the object of the invention.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation of the apparatus. Fig. 2 is a cross-section on the line AA of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view. Fig. 4 is a cross-section on the line B-B of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the front portion of the apparatus.

The horizontal lane a is constituted by an appropriate num er of strips of silk fabric, sewed to a suitable frame formedby bamboo rods and aluminium tubes for the sake of lightness. The seams of the bands, which preferably run longitudinally, are each ormed by a steel wire which, as will be understood, increases the strength of the fabric at the seam. I

The lane a which is of oblong form, is bent be ow the horizontal towards its edges as represented in Figs. 2 and 4. In addition its front and rear extremities terminate in a part b or b. This-part b or b is mounted upon a suitable frame of aluminium tubes and steel wires, and jointed to the plane a, along 0 c as regards the part b and do as regards the part b.

The parts I) and I) serve three purposes: 1. They form art of the plane a for su ortin the whoile of the system. 2. eing jointed, they serve to control the motion for the urpose of causing the apparatus to rise or all or to drive it horizontally. 3. In

case of accidentto the motor, they may be -2. The parts (i e an which assumes a turned down vertically in such a manner as to form a parachute.

A longitudinal reinforced beam 11 e f g,

'Figs. 2 and 4, is adjacent to the horizontal plane a, and carries a (platform h, Figs. 1 and d g of this beam are covered with silk fabric, in such a manner as to protect them from the resistance of the air.

The parts e f and f g are likewise silkcovered; these coverings of the reinforced beam rotect it'from the resistance of the air, and dlvide the surface constituting a parachute a (1. Fig. 2, into two equal arts giving the entire system its stability w on it is in movement. The said parts are appropriately spaced to permit of the unim eded movement of the navigator, who ta es his plaqe upon the platform h,- and at the same time protect him from the force of the air.

This aerial machine is steered by a rudder '11 arranged at the rear part in line with the reinforced beam.

The motor, which may be of any appropriate design, isfixed at 7' on the platform h. The screws k move in a plane perpendicular to the median plane of the apparatus, and are supported by arms composed of aluminium tubes at the extremities of which the bearings for the shaft m of the said screws are situated; these screws being beneath the horizontal plane, which in advancing compresses the air on which it rests and ives the maximum effect to the said prope lers, receive the movement from the motor by means of chains, Z and l, and inions keyed upon the motor shaft and on the shafts driving the screws; the chain Z is crossed by means of a small pulley in such a manner as to cause one of the screws to turn in one direction, while the other screw rotates in the opposite direc tion, thereby maintaining the equilibrium of the apparatus.

The navigator is able to enter the apparatus between the silk screens n 71/ through an opening 0 formed in one of these walls. From his post, the navigator is able to operate the movable part by means of a lever and two cables p g; these cables are fixed to a part r osition in the navi ating statiqp correspon ing to that occupied by the art p The part b is simpl operated by a cable .9

passing over the. gui e pulleys t u o w, and

attached to each of the extremities of the said part. The cable 8 isprovided at the part 8 passing through the navigating station With'an indicator and time erating member of any appropriate kind. inally the appa ratus 'may rest on the ground by means of four wheels y solid with the reiniorced'beam. The plane a and theplatform then form a certain angle with the horizontal, the front extremity of the aeroplane being higher from the ground than the rear extremity.

' When the motor is'started, the movement imparted to the screws causes the ap arat'us to advance. As soon as the forwar movement attains a sufiicient velocity, the horizontal plane a forming a given angle with the line of travel compresses the air'which lifts the ap aratus from the ground.

In t e course of the ascent, if there is a tendency for the e uilibrium of the a paratus to be destroys and the plane a inc ines towards the side a for example, it will he understood that as the side (it rises by a corresponding amount, the air comnressed'in the angle e escapes, while the angle g continues to store up air. The equilibrium of the apparatus is s eedily reestablished. The same thing wou d ha pen if the apparatus should become incline towards the other side.

It will of course be understood that durin all these maneuvers, the movable parts ii and h are horizontal. If for any reason, such as injilry to the motor for example, the apparatus should be obliged to stop, it is only necessary to bring the movable parts 5 1) into the vertical position by means of the o crating devices already described. The pane a assess being closed at itsextremities, and as it was already closed at its edges by the curved parts 'a" and a it forms a parachute permitting of a safe descent. b likewise serve to regulate the ascent and descent of the apparatus.

For descending the part b is brou ht into the obli ue position determined by t e inclination t at it is desired to cause the apparatus to assume;

' In order to rise in an oblique plane the part b is raised slightly while leaving the part b in the horizontal position.

As a constructional detail it must he pointed out that the screens n and 'n are interrupted in the nei hborhood of the motor in'order to facilitate t e circulation of the air for the cooling of the cylinder or cylinders.

Claim: I

In an aeroplane, an oblong horizontal plane having lts side edges bent below the horizontal, a art b b hinged to each end of the horizonta plane, a vertical plane below the horizontal plane and following the longitudinal axis thereof, said vertical lane having a portion extending above the horizontal plane, arudder, screws and means for driving the screws.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

MELVIN VANIMAN.

Witnesses: EMKLE Lno'rnn'r, H. 0. Corn.

The movable parts b 

